White-cheeked Cotinga
Encyclopedia
The White-cheeked Cotinga (Zaratornis stresemanni) is a species of bird
in the Cotingidae family. It is monotypic
within the genus Zaratornis. It is endemic to the Andes
in west-central Peru
. It mainly occurs at altitudes 3,250-4,250 m.a.s.l. in woodlands dominated by Polylepis
and Gynoxys
. It primarily feeds on mistletoe
berries. It is threatened by habitat destruction
and consequently considered vulnerable
by BirdLife International
and IUCN.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Cotingidae family. It is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
within the genus Zaratornis. It is endemic to the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
in west-central Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. It mainly occurs at altitudes 3,250-4,250 m.a.s.l. in woodlands dominated by Polylepis
Polylepis
Polylepis is a genus containing about twenty species of shrubs or trees native to the mid- and high-elevation regions of the tropical Andes. This group is unique in the rose family in that it is predominantly wind-pollinated. They are usually gnarled in shape, but in certain areas some trees are...
and Gynoxys
Gynoxys
Gynoxys is a genus of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.It contains the following species:* Gynoxys acostae* Gynoxys azuayensis* Gynoxys baccharoides* Gynoxys campii* Gynoxys chagalensis* Gynoxys chimborazensis...
. It primarily feeds on mistletoe
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants in several families in the order Santalales. The plants in question grow attached to and within the branches of a tree or shrub.-Mistletoe in the genus Viscum:...
berries. It is threatened by habitat destruction
Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
and consequently considered vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
and IUCN.